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Show West Desert Gives Feed For 3 Million Sheep Forage Supply Taxed To Limit, Conditions Relieved Reliev-ed By Other Feeds Turns Favorable By Prof. A. C. Esplin Sheep and Wool Specialist U tali's desert area is the winter range for 2,355,000 to 2,962,000 ewes. In 1923, 1924, the number was 2.355,000 and in 1931-1932, 2,962,000 sheep depend upon the open range for sustenance. Drouth caused a reduction in plant growth of 25 to 50 per cent over the range area during the trowing period of 1931 but no re-duiion re-duiion of sheep was made, even mere were driven to the open range because of forage shortage on farms and financial diffr-.ultip in buying feed The only relief given the situation situa-tion is the use by about 30 per cent cf the operators of one-fourth one-fourth pound corn or cotton cake per ewe per day. Even with this the dependence upon the forage plants is above that of 1923-1924 when one-fcurth fewer sheep were grazed. The outcome of this year with nearly 3,000,000 ewes whoso fleeces of wool and lambs, are depending de-pending upon the favors of climate, cli-mate, is significant in the agriculture agri-culture of Utah. Location of Desert The west desert of Utah from Washington county on the northwest, north-west, which is the entire west boundary with Nevada, is included in the sheep range. The vegetation vegeta-tion in Iron, Beaver, Millard, Juab, and Toole counties, was observed ob-served carefully in September, October, November and December 1931. Generally, the feed, both grass and brouse, has made only scanty growth. Local summer showers made feed in small areas but the desert generally is estimated esti-mated at 50 to 75 per cent of normal. nor-mal. Feeds on Desert The feeds most depended upon are: Dwarf black sage (Artemisia (Artemi-sia Nova), very short growth but supplying considerable grazing; common sage (purple) (Artimi-sia (Artimi-sia tridentate), fair growth, especially espec-ially in the valleys; shadeseale, (Atriplex confertifolia), fair growth grow-th but was extremely dry. Leaves and flow fell to the ground easily; still it is a major source of feed this year on the flat open desert areas; white sage, winter fats, (Eruotia lanata), only slight growth; not taken readily in the early season but should supply part of feed in February; grease-wood grease-wood (Sarcooatus Vermiculatus), is like common sage, fair in valleys, val-leys, of little value on the big open op-en flat country. Several grasses (not classified) made fair growth " on ridges and foothills, and are being grazed heavily. The absence of weeds, annual plants common on over-grazed areas, is conspicuous, even the common tumble weed. Russian thistle is scarce on the open desert, it being plentiful cn-ly cn-ly in the valleys near Irrigated tracts. Turn in Conditions The most favorable turn of conditions con-ditions came in the early November Novem-ber snow storm which covered the deserts with two to six inches of sncw. It was followed by other storms in November and December which made the whole of the desert des-ert available to sheep. The areas receiving too much snow in December Dec-ember nad already been grazed and will be again in February and March. The flat areas often not accessable in November and December De-cember were completely used this venr. The sheep have been spared the long dusty trail to the few water holes, so over-used in 1928 and to date, is the saving factor in the year's business. The thaw occui-ing occui-ing late in December, with a follow fol-low up of more snow, was also favorable in that it softened feed removed excess snow and reduced feed requirments by changing sub-zero weather to mild weather. Herds of sheep receiving corn or cotton cake could come through the winter with a lower death less; should grow more and better wool and produce more lambs than herds depending wholly upon up-on forage. |